Question

What is the value of -3(k + 7) - 5 + 4 = 23?

Answer 1

To solve the equation -3(k + 7) - 5 + 4 = 23, distribute the -3, combine like terms, and isolate the variable k, leading to the solution k = -15.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking to solve the equation -3(k + 7) - 5 + 4 = 23 for the variable k. To find the value of k, we need to simplify and solve the equation step by step.

1. Distribute the -3 into the parentheses: -3 * k - 3 * 7 which simplifies to -3k - 21.
2. Add the remaining terms outside the parentheses: -3k - 21 - 5 + 4.
3. Combine like terms: -3k - 22.
4. Add 22 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term with k: -3k = 23 + 22 which simplifies to -3k = 45.
5. Divide both sides by -3 to solve for k: k = 45 / -3 which simplifies to k = -15.

Therefore, the value of k in the given equation is -15. This process demonstrates how to use basic algebraic principles to solve equations.